Fitness in the frame

A film production crew came to shoot fourth-year girls playing hockey as part of an initiative to promote physical activity among girls aged 11 to 16.

Fit for Girls is a joint programme between sportscotland and the Youth Sport Trust.

The aim is to build a positive future for girls’ participation in lifelong physical activity and provides training for PE teachers, Active Schools co-ordinators and other professionals to engage girls in PE, physical activity and sport.

Councillor Paul O’Kane, vice convener of education and equality, said: “This has proved to be a first-class and hugely-beneficial initiative for Woodfarm High school.

“It has had a significant impact on the positive promotion of sport among girls.

“And we were delighted to welcome the sportscotland film crew along and help spread the message about this programme, which has been a big success for Woodfarm.”

Woodfarm was chosen as the venue for making the film as Fit for Girls has had such a positive impact at the school.

The film is set to feature on sportscotland’s website as a case study and will be used in presentations.

Since its inception, Fit for Girls has had a positive effect on how secondary school approach the promotion of physical activity among girls – and low active girls in particular.

Michelle Livingston, sportscotland’s Fit for Girls partnership manager, said: “Starting as a pilot programme, Fit for Girls has grown and developed, adding a wealth of research and experience about different ways to engage girls and young women in PE, physical activity and sport.

“Over the last three years, the programme has successfully engaged 344 mainstream and 15 additional support needs secondary schools across the country.

“In addition. All 32 local authorities across Scotland support the programme.

“These figures demonstrate the reach of the Fit for Girls programme and tha national commitment to increasing girls’ participation.”

Capitalising on the progress the Fit for Girls initiative has already accomplished, a new initiative is about to be rolled out.

The Active Girls project aims to provide a range of training opportunities to engage girls in PE, physical activity and sport, with a focus on motivation and inspiring teenage girls to get active.